MSN messenger, Ping Google works, but websites & AV not Connecting

[malice19]

MSN messenger, Ping Google works, but websites & AV not Connecting/updating???

I am working on a friends PC who is having a problem with connecting to site in IE or Firefox, also the Anti-Virus software will also not update as states that no internet connection present?

But i can ping Google and MSN messenger works fine?

Tried windows updates, reinstall IE, and system restore did sort the web browsers for a day but now no joy again?

Does any one have any good tools or suggestions what i can do please?

Cheers

[nightkhaos]

That sounds like an interesting error.

Right, so the clarify:

You can ping a host with a domain name (i.e. www.google.com).

You can connect to Windows Live Messenger.

You CANNOT download AntiVirus updates.

You CANNOT access any websites when using Internet Explorer.

Considering this, I see two courses of action.

First Option; Check your proxy setting in Internet Explorer.

Second option, get a friend who happens to be on MSN to send you the installer for Firefox 3. Install that, and see if the symptons presist within Firefox (i.e. the inability to connect to a website).

[malice19]

That sounds like an interesting error.

Right, so the clarify:

You can ping a host with a domain name (i.e. www.google.com).

You can connect to Windows Live Messenger.

You CANNOT download AntiVirus updates.

You CANNOT access any websites when using Internet Explorer.

Considering this, I see two courses of action.

First Option; Check your proxy setting in Internet Explorer.

Second option, get a friend who happens to be on MSN to send you the installer for Firefox 3. Install that, and see if the symptons presist within Firefox (i.e. the inability to connect to a website).

Thanks for your post, yes all of the above is the problems i am having and i have tried firefox and still no joy.

[malice19]

Going to see if any anti spyware will sort it out as the next step but if that does not work..???? Not sure what to do next?

[nightkhaos]

If Firefox is affected the the problem is unrelated to your Proxy settings in Internet Explorer.

Let us attempt a network stack restart. This MIGHT fix the problem, but I feel it might be a long shot.

An explaination of how to do this is found here.

I would also flush the dns cache which is done using the command:

ipconfig /flushdns

[malice19]

If Firefox is affected the the problem is unrelated to your Proxy settings in Internet Explorer.

Let us attempt a network stack restart. This MIGHT fix the problem, but I feel it might be a long shot.

An explaination of how to do this is found here.

I would also flush the dns cache which is done using the command:

ipconfig /flushdns

Tried flushdns, but that little tool to rest the TCPIP looks like interesting and i will definitely give that a go.

Cheers for that!

Will keep you posted.

[aidanjt]

Err, it's just DNS breakage. It'll fix itself. It's a common problem with crappy ISPs who can't configure a nameserver properly. Also, if you have a cheap/lousy router, reboot it to clear out it's DNS cache.

[nightkhaos]

Err, it's just DNS breakage. It'll fix itself. It's a common problem with crappy ISPs who can't configure a nameserver properly. Also, if you have a cheap/lousy router, reboot it to clear out it's DNS cache.

On really? If it WAS that, considering he can PING google, you would assume he could connect to it as well.

[Output]

Probably not this simple, but it's worth checking - are the applications being allowed through by the firewall (and also what Firewall is it just in case it's ZoneAlarm, one which has been known to mess up in many people's experiences)?

[aidanjt]

On really? If it WAS that, considering he can PING google, you would assume he could connect to it as well.

Bad DNS doesn't mean no DNS, it means bad DNS.

[nightkhaos]

Bad DNS doesn't mean no DNS, it means bad DNS.

I didn't say that. I said that considering he has a valid DNS record for www.google.com, and hence he can ping www.google.com there should be nothing preventing him from establishing an HTTP connection to port 80 for www.google.com.

There is a (very small) chance that the DNS record he has for www.google.com is invalid, and the IP the record points to happens to point to a server that is responding to ping, but considering google uses static IPs I find this very unlikely.

But clearly, since you have such an advanced understanding of Domain Name Systems, I'm sure you can enlighten to me as to why he can ping a server (using it's domain name), but not connect to it with an invalid DNS record?

Because my understanding points to that this is not a DNS problem.

(Of course, there might have been information omitted from the OP that includes say, that he can connect to CERTAIN sites, but not others. If that is the case I conceed that your point is a likely cause).

[peterb]

Can you connect to google if you type in http://209.85.229.99:80 (IP and port for Google.co.uk) ? If so it is a aidnjt says, almost certainly a DNS error. If not, then it may b3e a firewall problem, either in your version of Windows, an add on firewall application, or your router. You might also want to try doing a tracert to www.google.co.uk - the first line should show the DNS resolution google.co.uk but as tracert uses a different protocal (ICMP) and that gives a little more info to help diagnose the problem.

It is strange that the system worked for a short tuime after a re-install... Did you add or change anything during that time? And who is your ISP? Are there any other computers attached to the router? Do they work or not?

Nightkhaos - I'm not sure that aidnjt has a particularly advanceed knowledge or not, but his suggestion of a bad DNS record is still a valid one and worthy of consideration, however unlikely you may consider it to be!

[nightkhaos]

I know my response was a little on the harsh side and I apologise. It is just that you will note I asked him if the problem meant he can't connect to ANY website, why the OP said yes to. If that is true then that means DNS is likely not the issue. I am not ruling it out of course, I just have a lot of experience with network problems.

[malice19]

Can you connect to google if you type in http://209.85.229.99:80 (IP and port for Google.co.uk) ? If so it is a aidnjt says, almost certainly a DNS error. If not, then it may b3e a firewall problem, either in your version of Windows, an add on firewall application, or your router. You might also want to try doing a tracert to www.google.co.uk - the first line should show the DNS resolution google.co.uk but as tracert uses a different protocal (ICMP) and that gives a little more info to help diagnose the problem.

It is strange that the system worked for a short tuime after a re-install... Did you add or change anything during that time? And who is your ISP? Are there any other computers attached to the router? Do they work or not?

Nightkhaos - I'm not sure that aidnjt has a particularly advanceed knowledge or not, but his suggestion of a bad DNS record is still a valid one and worthy of consideration, however unlikely you may consider it to be!

ISP = Orange
Router provided by = Orange
2 PC connected to router and other one works fine.

PC started working again after i did a system restore which allowed the internet browsers to work but AV software and any other software that requires updates would not pick up a internet connection present, but it has now gone back as before after a day that MSN works but can not view sites as well.

Will have a look tonight and post as soon as i have had another go at it.
Cheers

[peterb]

I know my response was a little on the harsh side and I apologise. It is just that you will note I asked him if the problem meant he can't connect to ANY website, why the OP said yes to. If that is true then that means DNS is likely not the issue. I am not ruling it out of course, I just have a lot of experience with network problems.

Hey - no problem - cheers!

ISP = Orange
Router provided by = Orange
2 PC connected to router and other one works fine.

PC started working again after i did a system restore which allowed the internet browsers to work but AV software and any other software that requires updates would not pick up a internet connection present, but it has now gone back as before after a day that MSN works but can not view sites as well.

Will have a look tonight and post as soon as i have had another go at it.
Cheers

If one computer is working, it is looking more like a configuration of the non-connecting machine - I wonder if it is losing the DNS settings handed down by the router....

The other tests may help diagnose it - once you have done those, try entering Orange's DNS IP settings in the TCP IP set up on the affected computer. (195.92.195.94 and 195.92.195.95)

[ronjoo]

That sounds like an interesting error.

Right, so the clarify:

You can ping a host with a domain name (i.e. www.google.com).

You can connect to Windows Live Messenger.

You CANNOT download AntiVirus updates.

You CANNOT access any websites when using Internet Explorer.

Considering this, I see two courses of action.

First Option; Check your proxy setting in Internet Explorer.

Second option, get a friend who happens to be on MSN to send you the installer for Firefox 3. Install that, and see if the symptons presist within Firefox (i.e. the inability to connect to a website).

yeah i actually experience this, thanks for the info.



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